Comments on: Plug-Ins Next Tax Credit Targethttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/
Auto alternatives for the 21st centuryMon, 03 Dec 2012 19:24:39 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.4By: tomhttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3519
Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:26:22 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3519I agree that we should be rewarding mpg, not specific technology. Right now, we have perverse incentives to buy low mpg vehicles like the Highlander when their are non hybrid alternatives that get better gas mileage.

I still don’t understand how people got cheated on their tax credit, however. I thought the credit came directly off your tax bill. Why and how was it reduced?

]]>By: Al Khttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3533
Fri, 09 Mar 2007 19:24:44 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3533How about making cars last longer? I read a few years ago, that the energy expended in making a car is many times the energy you use to drive it. If that indeed is the case, then cars that last 30 years should reduce energy use and reduce pollution (greenhouse gasses, spent nuclear fuel, etc.). Maybe a German car that gets 25 mpg and lasts 30 years impacts the environment less than a car that gets 40 mpg and rusts through in 10? Has anyone looked into this?
]]>By: Sok Juicehttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3532
Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:03:02 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3532“Why not give the owners of vehicles, that meet a certain mpg and emissions level, a tax break every year for as long as you own the vehicle ?”

The reason we won’t is because the government is more interested in helping out automakers than helping the environment. Automakers are spending money coming up with new technology and it’s only worth it if they can recoup that investment. So Bush, more concerned with the well-being of his corporate supporters that supported his campaigne, has basically passed farce legislation to help sell more cars, that just happen to be hybrids. That’s why there is no yearly tax credit. In fact, if you don’t buy the hybrid new right off the lot, you won’t get the credit either.

]]>By: Bill Chttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3531
Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:22:36 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3531Why not give the owners of vehicles, that meet a certain mpg and emissions level, a tax break every year for as long as you own the vehicle ? You can deduct the maintenance on your vehicle if you itemize and claim employee related business expenses so why not have a deduction for the people that are really helping to reduce greenhouse gases ? Change the deduction so that every one who owns a vehicle, that meets the requirements, (whether HEV, BEV, PHEV) would reduce their total gross income. (like a child tax credit). Change the Prius tax credit to $ 1000 per year for as long as you own the vehicle. For a PHEV – $ 1500 and for a BEV it should be $ 2500. (this nets out to a percentage of your net income tax so you would see a reduced tax burden).

And conversely have an additional tax for any vehicle owned that falls below a certain mpg and emission standard (mpg of 20 or less [combined] or is a heavy polluter and include pickup trucks and SUVs).

The current “Tax Credit” is a joke. We didn’t get ANYTHING in the end. I qualified for a full $3150.00 credit, but once the numbers were added up on our 1040, we got zilch!

It has to do with the credits you are already claiming (2 kids and childcare for us) on your 1040. We’re not rich, by any means. Just a working family trying to get by. The promised tax credit was a big reason for us to purchase a Prius in the first place. My tax advisor said the credit would be great… if you were a single guy.

I love my Prius, but feel ripped off. My advice: check the “fine print” with the IRS if a tax credit is a big reason you are considering a hybrid purchase. “Don’t believe the hype!”

]]>By: Ry-Breadhttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3529
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 06:23:15 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3529At this point- whatever it takes to get people purchasing and driving hybrids is key. These first years (and I mean first decade) of alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles will be key in getting other consumers that are less interested or aware of the benefits of this technology involved. Folks should get tax incentives now not because they bought fuel efficient cars but because they are pioneers that are more likely to influence public and political will. I JUST bought a hybrid and my wife and I visited the in-laws this weekend. My father-in-law- an engineer & DIY guy had no concept of how these vehicles really work and what makes them more fuel efficient much less HOW fuel efficient they CAN BE depending on driving style (it is all biofeedback). He took a 30 minute spin and started thinking about trading-in his F-150.
]]>By: Miracleman89http://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3528
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:42:04 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3528I think this would be a great thing. I know that i will be taking advantage of it in 2008/2009 when they launch the Venture One! Check out http://www.flytheroad.com
]]>By: PflHybridhttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3527
Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:53:15 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3527Just want to clarify. I think the “marketing” of the hybrid tax break by the Bush Administration and/or Republican controlled congress turned out to be a complete farce.

It was time to buy a new family vehicle in last year and the only vehicles we entertained were hybrids. I liked the HiHy so much, I turned it my company provided “company car” and bought a Prius. (I drive 30000 miles/year and felt guilty). We recycle everything – even though the majority of it isn’t picked up at our curbside. We compost nearly everything we don’t recycle. We end up putting trash out once every three weeks or so (they pick it up twice weekly in our little town). Years ago we installed 2500 watts of solar panels and two small wind generators when electricity was about $0.08/kWh. Finally, we buy recycled and organic products when we can, and prefer to buy things in recyclable containers. This is a roundabout way I’m trying to explain that I agree that we need to think globally and act locally. Regardless of what the government is doing.

But just understand, if you have a mortgage and kids, forget the hybrid rebate.

]]>By: joe540cihttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3525
Sat, 03 Mar 2007 00:12:29 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3525Imagine how many people would buy lower cost high milage cars if there was a $4200. tax credit for anything that got over 40 mpg!!(hybrid or not)
]]>By: jeffhttp://www.hybridcars.com/plug-ins-nest-tax-credit-target/#comment-3526
Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:05:28 +0000http://127.0.0.1/wordpress12/?p=1040#comment-3526Battery technology is far ahead of anything that is currently being discussed. I got into model airplane flight 2 years ago and LIPO batteries were already the norm. There is an even better cell chemistry just hitting the market for rechargeable drills.

What drives this innovation? Folks like me voting with their wallets. All this talk about the cost to the auto industry of meeting mpg standards is BS. The cost will be born by the consumer not the corporations. So let’s start voting now. Buy the highest mileage vehicle you can afford when you look for a new car. Convert when you can afford to. Squeeze your wallet and vote. I hate paying for everything but there is no excuse to own a vehicle that gets less than 30 mpg if all you are doing is commuting. I hate Bush but anything the government does to encourage cleaner energy I am behind.